One rifle to rule them all...

[Pancho Villa]

Mental exercise I've been running in my head for the better part of a year, now it's becoming relevant.

Long story short, I liquidated my gun collection to make sure we had the cash on hand to pay the (substantial) bills related to bringing a new human onto the scene. Now baby is here and I'm taking stock of what is important and what isn't. I've decided that 1 rifle + lots of ammo is better than a lot of rifles and a little bit of ammo, and less trigger time.

Maybe I'm just growing up. Who knows.

Anyway, my needs are very specific, and I'd like to get feedback from people here. I want a HD/Playing Around/Hunting rifle. Needs to be good to go for game up to elk, killing intruders up close and playing around at the range up to 400-500 yards.

After some research I have settled on a final two: 6.8SPCII and 6.5 Grendel. While many old timers will look askance at the two as elk cartridges, given some research, a solid hit with a modern bullet will put even the big'uns down.

What I would like from you guys are your learned opinions: which is better for the assigned purposes, and why?

[cofi]

Why not just go. 308 if your planning on stockpiling its gonna be way cheaper

[SideShow Bob]

I am not one of the learned old timers, but ammo availability would be in the equation as to what caliber. And platform type such as an AR 15 or AR 10, depending on caliber choice would come second. The AR platform would give you the all around usage you are looking for.

[Pancho Villa]

I would prefer an AR15, Sideshow.

As for why not .308...I don't like my options. The less expensive rifles don't impress me regarding reliability, and the more reliable ones are pushing $3k for the basic rifle.

[20X11]

Home defense and elk hunting seem mutually exclusive....that being said, inside 200 yards on elk, home defense/SHTF, fun time at range, it would be hard to beat the .300 blackout. Brass is easily made from 5.56/223 cases, New plinking ammo is relatively cheap, you can put a can on it and run subsonic loads for home defense, and get 150gr 30 cal bullets going 2000 fps for elk. And since it uses all the same parts as a 5.56 AR except the barrel, parts are cheap and readily available. Plus the effective range (as rated by the military) is 440 meters...which meets your 400-500 yard requirement.

[Goodburbon]

Not $3000, Accurate, compact enough for HD, Powerful enough for elk, Ammo cheap enough to stock up.

http://dpmsinc.3dcartstores.com/COMP..._ep_151-1.html

[netsecsys]

I would prefer an AR15, Sideshow.

As for why not .308...I don't like my options. The less expensive rifles don't impress me regarding reliability, and the more reliable ones are pushing $3k for the basic rifle.

You could get a LMT MWS for around $2400 new (going around $2100 for used in good condition) . They are no OBR but well made, accurate, and are fun to shoot (especially after putting a PWS brake on it). You can take them out some distance as well. YMMV.

[Fentonite]

I've got a DPMS LR308B, that's been nothing but reliable. Sub MOA. Youre welcome to try it out. Shoot me a PM, and maybe we can figure a time to meet at cherry creek.

[C Ward]

Grendal and 6.8 are at the top end of the effectiveness on deer and antelope size game , no way that I would use either on elk unless your planning on head shots all the time .

[BadShot]

I'll support .308 as well. Plenty of build it yourself options out there not to mention plenty of other platforms (FAL, CETME, HK/PTR91) in the arena that are just as capable as any AR10 in the sub 2k range. Mags are affordable, parts are super easy to come by and on par with many AR10 accessories and parts. Not sure what a DI .308 gets you, but as an entry level weapon that you can use to fit the roles you've described, if it has to be an AR platform, the there ain't no shame in either building it yourself or starting with a DPMS and upgrading from there as reason and finances allow.

Me, when I go the .308 AR route, I'm looking at something more in the Piston configuration, but that's a preference.

I'm not sure I'm a fan of the non-mainstream calibers for a variety of reasons. Then again, nothing wrong with a few different uppers, keeps the price reasonable for both, keeps your manual of arms the same and falls into your basic requirements. In short, I don't think there is a "single" solution for your requirements.